Why buy a vibrator instead of a medical dilator?

Many healthcare professionals are recommending the use of slim vibrators and sexual lubricants to help their patients overcome some of the sexual issues that may occur following gynaecological interventions both medical and surgical and to help them enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure.

We created the Jo Divine health brochure with Consultant urogynaecologist Mr Alex Slack, Women’s Health physiotherapist Pip Salmon and gynaecology ward manager Lynda Wickenden at Tunbridge Wells Hospital who recognise that sexual pleasure and intimacy is important to many people.

They wanted to offer products that can be used in conjunction with medical dilators and sexual lubricants to encourage their patients to use them as many women find medical dilators uncomfortable to use or as an alternative to help post operative scarring, vaginal tightness, vaginismus, post childbirth and when sex feels painful.

They also wanted to help their patients with decreased sexual sensation following surgery and cancer treatment or as a result of a medical condition.

Some women can struggle to have a smear test or gyanecological examination when they experience vaginal tightness, vaginal atrophy, post op scarring, trauma and abuse.

Vaginal tightness may occur as a result of post operative scarring following surgery or as a side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy after cancer treatment which may cause discomfort or pain There may also be a decrease in sexual sensation, making it more difficult for women to reach orgasm.

Symptoms of vaginismus, vulvodynia, “Lichens Sclerosus”: and physical effects of ageing through menopause can also be reduced by the use of a slim vibrator and organic lubricant too.

Traditionally, medical dilators are used to to treat the above conditions but can be made from hard plastic which may feel uncomfortable against the delicate skin of the vaginal area.

Some women prefer to use medical dilators to treat their condition rather than a vibrator which they consider to be sexual. However, some women prefer to use a vibrator which feels less clinical. Many women want to feel sexual again after undergoing months , if not years of medical treatment and surgical intervention, and for them, using a vibrator is a way to enjoy sexual pleasure and intimacy again.

Both medical dilators and vibrators can be used in conjunction with each other as they offer different experiences for many women. Medical dilators can help to stretch the tight tissues of the vagina whilst a vibrator can promote blood flow to the healing tissues and feel pleasureable too, especially on the clitoris.

If you prefer to use dilators to help you overcome vaginal tightness, the Inspire Silicone Dilator Kit offers 5 graduated dilators made from velvety soft silicone which are extremely flexible, unlike hard medical dilators and very gentle on the delicate skin of the vulva and vagina. The easy to use loop handle makes them comfortable to hold, and the gentle tapered shape and varied sizes allows you to increase the insertion size at a rate that is comfortable to you.

A review of the CalExotics Dilator kit

How can a vibrator help you?

It can promote healing of scar tissue

Using a slim vibrator can help promote healing of scar tissue by increasing the blood supply to the area. Gentle manipulation of the vibrator over the scarred area can help to stretch the tissue, make it feel less tight. It can also promote the production of vaginal secretions, lubricating the vagina and making it feel more comfortable. Using a good quality lubricant nourishes the scar tissue and can speed the healing process.

It can alleviate symptoms of Vaginismus

Vaginismus is a condition that affects a woman’s ability to engage in sexual intercourse, and can be very distressing. In vaginismus, the pubococcygeus muscle involuntarily tenses, in a similar reflexive manner to someone flinching. The tensed muscle make penetration difficult or even impossible. When penetration does occur, it is very painful. The causes of vaginismus are generally psychological but, by regaining control of her pelvic muscles through relaxation techniques, taught by her physiotherapist, a woman can free herself from feeling her body has to protect her by tightening the vaginal muscles, preventing penetration.

Vaginismus is generally treated using medical dilators of increasing sizes to allow the patient to begin with the thinnest dilator and slowly progress to the next size.

Using a slim vibrator enables the woman to be in control of the speed and depth at which they introduce the vibrator into their vagina. The use of gentle vibrations can help the muscles to relax, in addition to increasing sensation, making the experience feel pleasurable.

Reduce symptoms of Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is the term used to describe the condition experienced by women who have the sensation of vulval burning and soreness in the absence of any obvious skin condition or infection. By becoming aware of how her body feels through intimate massage and exploration using a vibrator and lubricant and relaxation techniques, a woman can become more relaxed and comfortable with her body and her symptoms may lessen.

Alleviate symptoms of the Menopause

Vaginal atrophy, also known as atrophic vaginitis, involves a thinning, drying and inflammation of the walls of the vagina from a loss of oestrogen during and after the menopause. This can cause burning pain and discomfort but the use of an organic lubricant or vaginal moisturiser can nourish and lubricate the vaginal walls, easing any discomfort or pain and making sexual intercourse more pleasurable. A slim vibrator can help to gently stretch the vaginal walls making them more flexible.

Increases sensation

Using a vibrator can increase sensation in the affected area which may have diminished following surgical or medical intervention or drug therapy. The gentle vibrations can stimulate the numerous nerve endings in the clitoris and vagina, creating waves of pleasure, thus enabling the woman to recognise pleasurable sensation rather than experiencing pain or discomfort.

Jo Divine Health Brochure

At Jo Divine we believe that sexual health and sexual pleasure go hand in hand and have created a health brochure with suitable products to help people with sexual issues. Working with medical professionals, we hope to encourage patients and HCPs alike in talking more freely about sexual problems. A health issue which makes sex feel painful doesn’t mean your sex life will have to stop or that you have to live with it! There are many ways you can overcome this problem with the right treatment and advice.